Every care home resident across Manchester has received the Covid-19 vaccine
- All 56 care homes across the city have given the jab to every resident
- ‘This is the protection we’ve been waiting for’, says one care home manager
- It comes as news of a third vaccine approval is looking likely for the UK
Every resident of the 56 care homes in Manchester have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The milestone was achieved this week – hitting the target that was laid out by the government earlier this month, to have all care home residents vaccinated by the end of the month.
This news comes alongside the news of a third vaccine approval looking likely for the UK in just weeks.
The Novavax jab is said to be 89.3% effective against the virus, including the new UK strain identified at the end of last month.
Aida Booth, a resident of a care home in Salford, said: “God bless all the scientists, the doctors and the people in charge of this country who have allowed us to have the vaccine and save our lives.
“May the coronavirus in this country and all over the world be over soon and we return back to normal; the children back to school; normal life to resume.
“My deep appreciation to the NHS staff – I think they should have their wages increased for stepping up during this pandemic.
“I hope that this year will be a better year than the last – I bless all of the people in this country.”
Bill Halon, 77, who lives at Belong Morris Feinmann Care Village in Didsbury, said: “I was over the moon to receive my first Covid-19 vaccine.
“The delivery was well-organised, and I felt safe and supported throughout.”
Carolyn Ball, general manager at Belong, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our residents have had this opportunity to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
“This is the additional protection we have long been waiting for and it’s great to be starting the new year knowing our residents are at reduced risk.
“The commitment of the NHS in Manchester to rolling out the programme promptly, and the team from gtd healthcare delivery it in our care setting in spite of the complex logistics, is really impressive.”
Angela Zuraw, Manchester based area director for HC-One said: “It’s fantastic that so many of our homes have been vaccinated.
“This is a vital step in protecting our residents and our colleagues and we are proud of the staff and their commitment to this rollout and to our residents.
“We are all looking forward to better times and we are keeping spirits high and will continue to smile.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Manchester city council’s executive member for adult health and wellbeing, said: “We have been supporting care homes to keep their residents safe throughout Covid and we have been really eager to see our care home residents and staff vaccinated.
“I am so proud of the work that has been going on throughout January to protect some of our most vulnerable.”
The full government vaccine delivery plan can be found here.